Chuck Norris, the actor and martial artist, has died at 86.
His family confirmed his death on Friday, just a day after reports surfaced that he’d been hospitalised in Hawaii. At the time, fans were reassured when initial updates suggested he was in good spirits.
But only a few hours later, news broke of his passing. Norris is survived by his wife, Gena O’Kelley and their five children.
Chuck Norris, who made his name in martial arts before becoming a staple of American action films, has died at the age of 86.
Norris, born in Oklahoma, served in the United States Air Force before finding fame in martial arts. He held black belts in karate, taekwondo, judo, Tang Soo Do and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His competitive success led him to create Chun Kuk Do, a discipline he founded himself.
One of his most famous roles came early on with Way of the Dragon, where he shared the screen with Bruce Lee. But it was his turn as Cordell Walker in Walker, Texas Ranger that made him a household name.
Statement with the news
The news was shared through a statement posted to Norris’ social media pages:
“It is with heavy hearts that our family shares the sudden passing of our beloved Chuck Norris yesterday morning. While we would like to keep the circumstances private, please know that he was surrounded by his family and was at peace,” the family statement read.
“To the world, he was a martial artist, actor, and a symbol of strength. To us, he was a devoted husband, a loving father and grandfather, an incredible brother, and the heart of our family.
“He lived his life with faith, purpose, and an unwavering commitment to the people he loved. Through his work, discipline, and kindness, he inspired millions around the world and left a lasting impact on so many lives.
“While our hearts are broken, we are deeply grateful for the life he lived and for the unforgettable moments we were blessed to share with him. The love and support he received from fans around the world meant so much to him, and our family is truly thankful for it. To him, you were not just fans, you were his friends.
“We know many of you had heard about his recent hospitalisation, and we are truly grateful for the prayers and support you sent his way.”
Fans reaction and comments
Norris left an impression across many fields, and tributes from fans quickly followed: “RIP to a legend”, one fan wrote on social media.
Others posted similar sentiments to pay tribute to Norris: “Death didn’t take Chuck Norris—he let it think it won. RIP”, “Chuck Norris didn’t pass away… Death just built up the courage to meet him. Legend forever”, and “The man, the myth, the legend” were some of the comments around what happened
Norris also had ties to the UFC world. There was once a discussion about including him as a character in the promotion’s video game after Bruce Lee’s addition to EA Sports’ UFC title. Dana White brought up the idea back in 2014.
Art Davie has also said that Norris nearly took part in UFC 1 back when the promotion launched in 1993.
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